Count of dependent full-time students 15-24 years in family (CDSF)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2026

Definition

This variable counts the number of dependent full-time students aged 15 to 24 years in the family. It also includes dependent students who were temporarily absent from the family household on Census night. 

Scope

Families with dependent students aged 15 to 24 years 

Categories

CodeCategory
Couple family with: 
00 No dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
01 One dependent full-time student (15–24 years) 
02 Two dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
03 Three dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
04 Four dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
05 Five dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
06 Six dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
07 Seven dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
08 Eight or more dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
One parent family with: 
09 No dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
10 One dependent full-time student (15–24 years) 
11 Two dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
12 Three dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
13 Four dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
14 Five dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
15 Six dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
16 Seven dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
17 Eight or more dependent full-time students (15–24 years) 
@@ Not applicable 

Number of categories: 19 

Not applicable (@@) category comprises: 

  • couple families with no children 
  • other families 
  • non-family households 
  • non-classifiable households 
  • unoccupied private dwellings 
  • non-private dwellings 
  • migratory, offshore and shipping SA1s 

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information. 

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the person's date of birth and age?

What is the person’s relationship to Person 1/Person 2?

Is the person attending a school or any other education institution?

For each person away, complete the following questions:

How this variable is created

This variable is created from responses to the relationship in household, age, attendance at an educational institution, and persons temporarily absent (PTA) questions on the Census form. 

It counts the number of dependent students aged 15 to 24 years in couple families and oneparent families. 

The family composition (FMCF) variable is used to identify whether the family is a couple family or a one parent family. 

Dependent students in the household are counted if they are part of the family and fall under one of these relationship in household (RLHP) categories: 

  • 41 Natural or adopted dependent full-time student (15-24 years)
  • 42 Dependent full-time student step child (15-24 years)
  • 43 Dependent full-time student foster child (15-24 years)

Dependent students aged 15 to 24 years who were temporarily absent on Census night can be counted in the count of dependent students (15–24 years) temporarily absent (CDSAF) variable. 

History and changes

This variable was first collected in 2021.  

In 2026, new categories were added, increasing the highest category from ‘Six or more dependent students (15-24 years)’ to ‘Eight or more dependent full-time students (15-24 years)’.

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